NASA Names 24th Astronaut Class, Including Prior SpaceX Crew Member
HOUSTON - NASA introduced its new group of astronaut candidates on Monday during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The 2025 trainee class consists of four men and six women who will undergo two years of basic training before being eligible for mission assignments in low-Earth orbit and on the Moon.
The selection process, led by acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy, was rigorous and competitive. "We picked the best and the brightest, the most skilled, the best looking, the best personalities to take these 10 spots," Duffy said. "You are America's best and brightest, and we're going to need America's best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future."
The new class includes one notable name: astronaut candidate Robert Behnken, who previously flew on SpaceX's Crew Dragon as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Behnken's experience with private space companies will likely be valuable in the Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the Moon by 2025.
The Artemis program is a critical step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and eventually sending humans to Mars. "We are going back to the Moon, and this time we're going to stay," Duffy said. "And from what we learn on our missions to the Moon, we're going to go to Mars, and we're going to go beyond, into the unknown."
The selection of the new astronaut class is a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to expand its workforce and prepare for future missions. The agency has been working to increase diversity and inclusion within its ranks, with a goal of having a more representative group of astronauts.
In addition to Duffy, NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya and Vanessa Wyche also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the new class in achieving NASA's ambitious goals.
The 2025 trainee class will undergo rigorous training, including scientific and technical coursework, spacewalk training, and Russian language training. They will also participate in simulations and exercises to prepare them for the physical and mental demands of space travel.
As the Artemis program continues to move forward, NASA is expected to announce more details about its plans for lunar missions and beyond. The agency has already begun working with private companies, such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, to develop the necessary technologies and infrastructure for a sustainable presence on the Moon.
With the selection of the new astronaut class, NASA takes another step towards achieving its goal of sending humans back to the Moon and eventually to Mars. As Duffy noted, "We are going to need America's best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future."
*Reporting by Arstechnica.*
